Recognising Van Mieu doctoral steles as a national treasure

The Hanoitimes – The Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports held a ceremony on November 23 to announce the recognition of collection of 82 doctoral laureate steles at Hanoi’s Van Mieu – Temple of Literature as a national treasure.

The 82 stone steles are carved with the names of those who passed royal doctoral examinations between 1484 and 1780 under the Early Le, Mac and Late Le dynasties.

The stone slabs are placed on the backs of stone tortoises, symbolising longevity and permanence.

These stone steles can be considered as a unique sculptural work reflecting a great value of sculpture throughout the history of Vietnam.

Each composition engraved on the steles is highly regarded for its remarkable literature valuable in terms of art and ideology.

82 doctoral laureate steles at Hanoi’s Van Mieu - Temple of Literature has been recognised as national treasure.

The steles were recognised by UNESCO as a world documentary heritage in the Asia-Pacific region in March 2010 and on a global scale in July 2011.

Head of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports To Van Dong said that the recognition is an honour to Hanoi, but it also requires local authorities to do more to preserve and promote the heritage’s cultural value.

On the occasion, the department held an exhibition featuring 100 documents and artifacts on the doctoral steles in Hanoi, the ancient imperial city of Hue, and the northern provinces of Hung Yen and Bac Ninh.

Thu Minh

Recognising Van Mieu doctoral steles as a national treasure Related image(s)